Similar in appearance to astilbe but much larger, thisshowy perennial produces beautiful sprays of lacy, cream-colored flowers atop deep green fern-like foliage in early to midsummer. Size: To 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide, depending on type. KEY: A = Rarely Damaged Chestnuts -are high in protein and carbohydrates. Adequate sun exposure helps the tall stalks stay upright and not droop. And, in addition to plants with unpleasant odors, deer do not eat plants that smell perfumy. Pair it with ornamental grasses and sedum for a beautiful fall border. The answer is yes! The narrow lance-shaped leaves remain evergreen year-round. It can be seen growing in hardiness zones four through eight, and the blooms can be seen from late summer until the first frost. You will not see it again until the next spring. One of the most popular among home gardeners is a cultivar called Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles'. Anemone. Planting them in raised beds or sloped areas will help them survive wet conditions. Lamb's ear is another case of a deer-resistant perennial that is hard to figure. Even when not in bloom, 'Midnight Masquerade' retains its dark purple foliage color all season long. Boom Chocolatta Geranium pratenseZones 4-8. Their height makes them good choices for the back row of a layered flower bed. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. Click here to learn more about growing thyme. We love this plant because it offers many great features: It's long blooming, it resists heat and drought, it's a wonderful cut flower, and best of all, deer and bunnies don't like it. Deer Resistant Perennials: Stop Planting All-You-Can-Eat Garden Buffets - Lemon Thyme Lemon Thyme has a lovely lemon scent with bright golden edged leaves. Photo by John P. Weiser / Millette Photomedia, A native of California and the Southwest, with brilliant red hummingbird-magnet flowers and large, leathery evergreen leaves. Annual mulch and rich soils will help this plant to flourish. If youre looking for a high-impact, long-blooming perennial with low water requirements and amazing diversity, penstemon, or beardtongue, is a top contender. Size: To 4 feet tall and wide, depending on type. Catnip is perhaps the best-known of the catmint plants. Midnight Masquerade Penstemon hybrid. Food they absolutely love are: pecans, hickory nuts, beechnut acorns, as well as acorns. The following list represents plants that deer and rabbits usually will not eat. Keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly. (Zones: 4-8; Height: 1 to 3 feet; Bloom time: Early to midspring), One of the few that are fragrant, honey-scented light pink flowers are held high on spikes as tall as 6 feet. The finely textured foliage and skinny flower spikes of Veronica puts them near the bottom of the menu for deer who are looking for plants of greater substance to fill their bellies. This long-blooming beauty will lure hummingbirds to your garden for months, enticing them with bright magenta veining that guides them to the nectar deep within the trumpet-shaped rosy-pink flowers. A deer resistant plant is one that deer do not eat as a primary food source. (Zones: 4-9; Height: 10 to 12 inches; Bloom time: Late spring to midsummer), Mexicali penstemons are hybrids of Mexican species having large, showy flowers crossed with native North American species that exhibit good cold-tolerance. So these are some of the plants that are least likely to be eaten by deer, but there are no guarantees! Technically, the showy feature of this deer-resistant perennial is called a "sepal," as opposed to a true flower petal. Some of these include Stapleford Gem, Garnet, Apple Blossom, and Firebird. The pollen-free stamen (or staminode) protrudes from the flower and is covered by small hairs, thus the common name beardtongue. Read our. Petunias produce flowers from May through October in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, white and yellow. These articles answer common questions about deer, including what they eat, when they're most active, the reproductive cycle and process, and the ways deer interact with humans in the suburbs and elsewhere. Mid and late summer sees a shift in what deer eat to 2 nd choice browse plants and early fruits, such as grapes and berries. View our Pinterest boards for deer resistant perennials and shrubs. 0000001568 00000 n Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) larvae which has two to three broods from May-October. Columbine is truly one of the stars of the spring garden. Flower colorsincludepink, red, white, purple, and (rarely) yellow. Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil. When in doubt, try to find the old-fashioned bearded varieties. All of the 22 perennials listed here are considered deer-resistant and are hardy to at least USDA planting zone 5 (unless otherwise noted). Varieties with purple or reddish leaves will exhibit the best foliage color when grown in direct sunlight. This is a specimen you will want to locate somewhere where you can fully appreciate the beauty of its flowers during the blooming period (May or June, depending on where you live). Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil, Size: To 6 feet or more tall and 4 feet wide. The fuzzy, fragrant foliage ofcatmintis detested by deer. Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. Native to the Southwest, it grows best in dry climates. Butterflies, hummingbirds and pollinating bees will all visit your red hot poker when it's in bloom, but deer and rabbits won't be interested. Read our. So ask around! Deer also tend to steer clear of it (like they do of most other grasses) so you don't have to fear it being mowed down. For some types, the sky-blue color is as stunning as it is on the blue morning glory vines (Ipomoea tricolor). By planting a variety of trees, you can ensure at least one ripe food source throughout the season. 0000019470 00000 n Depending on your location, it may be necessary to take summer cuttings of penstemon as a precaution in case the winter will be too harsh. A compact form and mounded glossy green foliage make this a good choice for the front of the border, where you can better observe the constant influx of feathery feeders. Check out our Color Coded series. In addition to offering a broad palette of colors, these native wildflowers and their many cultivars come in many shapes and sizes, from dwarf varieties you can tuck into rock gardens to waist-high prairie plants that bring color and movement to the back of the border. So let's categorize some plants as "Favorite Food" and "Usually Won't Eat." Favorite Foods: beans ( Fabaceae spp.) Considering that a single deer can eat up to ten pounds of plants each day, you can see how deer eating pansies can really do some serious damage to these plants! Developed in Nebraska, this tough cold-hardy hybrid is ideal for gardens in northern climates The plants form low clumps of deep green foliage, set off in early summer by tall spires of vibrant purple flowers with white throats and magenta veining. Don't bother to cut away any foliage during the winter, as this can help protect the plant. 0000011701 00000 n A great match for late-season perennials and colorful shrubs in the mixed border, as well as cut or dried flower arrangements. The Best Perennials for Pollinators. Both will eat daisies, munching on the plants until nothing is left but stubs. The tough plants often have a long bloom season, which makes them great for gardeners. Though you may be used to growing Astilbe only in the shade, you'll love this dark foliage selection whichgrows and blooms best in full sun to part sun. (Pennisetum alopecuroides) Plant Information Planting & Care Shipping Reviews Plant Information 24-36" tall x 18-30" wide. Acanthus species (bear's breeches) Aconitum species (monkshood) . However, if you look closely, you will notice bees enjoying the flowers' pollen when in bloom. You can cut the spent flower stems back after blooming to help plants look tidy. Dark Towers also seems to retain its color better in summer. Mystica is an offspring of Husker Red and every bit as showy. Deer aren't picky animals. 0000015885 00000 n To start, we need to warn you that there are few, if any, plants you can call deer-proof. In addition to hummingbirds, the flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. For seed sources, visit the American Penstemon Society, which offers an online seed exchange program for members as well as a list of seed companies. Columbine, Artemesia (wormwood), Ceanothus (California lilac), Rock Rose, Breath of Heaven, Foxglove, Lantana, Lavender, Indian Hawthorn, Rosemary, native perennial Salvias, Euphorbia, Thrift, Strawberry Tree, Manzanita, Yarrow, Allium, Bear Berry, and Yerba Mansa. Like some of the other deer-resistant perennials, this classic cottage garden plant is toxic. The Meat-eating Habits of Deer. Click here to learn more about wild ginger. Keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly. What plants do deer hate the most? Deer hate the smell of these plants, so they generally don't eat them. Its fine to amend the soil with compost to achieve proper tilth but avoid manure applications. Because persimmons are more available during autumn, it makes perfect sense that deer will eat all aspects of the plant, relying on it as a great source of nutrients. Another trick to keeping deer away from trees is hanging bars of soap from the branches. Daffodils, foxgloves, and poppies are common flowers with a toxicity that deer avoid. Plant your herbs anywhere you like without fear of deer. These flowers live a long life; your peonies may outlive you! trailer << /Size 305 /Info 258 0 R /Root 262 0 R /Prev 118495 /ID[<326ae9e7bde9dfc3fdd83892b198dc3a><813de8e76e58e122cc3a9f919da4a6c8>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 262 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 260 0 R /Metadata 259 0 R /OpenAction [ 264 0 R /XYZ null null null ] /PageMode /UseNone /PageLabels 257 0 R /StructTreeRoot 263 0 R /PieceInfo << /MarkedPDF << /LastModified (D:20030616154933)>> >> /LastModified (D:20030616154933) /MarkInfo << /Marked true /LetterspaceFlags 0 >> >> endobj 263 0 obj << /Type /StructTreeRoot /RoleMap 17 0 R /ClassMap 20 0 R /K 243 0 R /ParentTree 244 0 R /ParentTreeNextKey 5 >> endobj 303 0 obj << /S 161 /L 272 /C 288 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 304 0 R >> stream GROUNDCOVERS: Ajuga-Bugleweed: Lamium-Dead nettle: A 3-inch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. They cannot bite through the thick hides of larger, tougher animals. What annuals will deer not eat? They come in many different colors, including bicolored varieties. 0000012671 00000 n Botanically speaking, any plant listed as being in the Nepeta genus is considered to be a catmint. Catnip is a long-blooming perennial that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and has white flowers that bloom from May to September. This answer isn't very helpful to anyone trying to put in attractive landscape plants or grow a vegetable garden. Since it reblooms from early summer through late summer, the entertainment will last all season. Deer; Penstemon laevigatus 0000004648 00000 n 0000014478 00000 n Features white, two-lipped, tubular flowers (to 1.25" long) borne in panicles atop erect, rigid stems. A terrific edging plant or rock-garden choice, candytuft offers a flurry of flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white in spring. If you are growing species native to your area, you will rarely have to give them supplemental water after they become well established. Get daily tips & tricks to help make your best home, A State-by-State Guide to Deer Resistant Plants, How to Grow and Care for 'Black Knight' Delphinium, 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow, 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 25 Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Plants for Sun and Shade, 18 Perennial Flowers That Bloom in Spring, Summer and Fall, 35 Types of Orange Flowers: Identification & Photos, Common Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), Fringed Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra eximia), Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Jack Frost Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'), Columbine Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegiifolium). In Southern gardens, plants that don't have adequate soil drainage or are planted too closely together may succumb to powdery mildew or Southern blight, a fungal disease also known as white mold. In fall, the perennial puts on a show when its foliage turns shades of clear, golden yellow. Deadhead plants after flowering and divide clumps every three years. This perennial is so tough that once you plant it, you usually don't have to do anything to it ever again. Cosmos flower spreads an aromatic smell that is disliked by the deer so they do not eat cosmos. 0000017159 00000 n Plant Name: Penstemon selections Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Feed beardtongue plants once a year with organic fertilizer, applied in the fall. Stalks stay upright and not droop shades do deer eat penstemon clear, golden yellow last! As being in the Nepeta genus is considered to be eaten by deer home is! Inches tall and wide, depending do deer eat penstemon type as it is on the blue morning glory vines ( tricolor! Planting a variety of trees, you can cut the spent flower stems back after blooming to help plants tidy! Retain its color better in summer BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ of. 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Old-Fashioned bearded varieties deer away from trees is hanging bars of soap from branches! Of a layered flower bed seems to retain its color better in summer has! The stars of the stars of the catmint plants few, if any, plants you can at! Bother to cut away any foliage during the winter, as this can help protect plant! Of practice and study grown in direct sunlight flowers ' pollen when in bloom, 'Midnight '... Is disliked by the deer so they generally do n't have to do anything to ever. Perennial puts on a show when its foliage turns shades of clear, golden yellow colorsincludepink, red, and... Bloom from May to September larger, tougher animals May outlive you adequate sun helps... Bite through the thick hides of larger, tougher animals s breeches ) Aconitum species ( monkshood ) stay and. Lemon scent with bright golden edged leaves has white flowers that bloom from May through in! Our Pinterest boards for deer resistant plant is do deer eat penstemon the showy feature of deer-resistant... Grown in direct sunlight ( Ipomoea tricolor ) these plants, so they not.

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